It would have been a clash of the titans — perhaps rivaling the legendary fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

But fans, yet again, were told they’ll have to wait a little longer to witness a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. — if it ever happens at all.

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The two boxing heroes, whose fans have been clamouring for the match for more than two years now, somehow managed to avoid a showdown after Mayweather announced that he would be fighting Miguel Cotto instead.

Pacquiao has yet to announce whom he will be fighting next, telling fans they’ll have to wait until after the U.S.’s Super Bowl. The two men have never fought, consistently blaming each other for the absence of a showdown.

Whatever the reason, the latest announcement still hurts Pacquiao fans hoping that a Mayweather match will prove their favorite’s superiority, particularly in Pacquiao’s home country of the Philippines, where he is revered.

“I truly am disappointed about the fight not happening but I… expect(ed) it in the first place,” said Rich Mazon, a writer for the Philippine-based boxing website philboxing.com, who blamed the Mayweather camp for insincerity in getting the fight finalized.

Observers continue to be surprised that the megafight still has not happened, largely because of the sheer amount of money involved: each fighter could be paid up to $40 million.

Mr. Mazon, though, said he believes that both Mayweather and Pacquiao make so much money as it is that even in the face of the sport’s richest fight, they would see money as little incentive.

“The idea of taking less money against the other or even a 50-50 split is hurtful to both the superstars’ egoes,” he said.

Still, other fans were optimistic about the upcoming Mayweather-Cotto bout, saying that Cotto is a good alternative for Mayweather after Pacquiao.

“Cotto is the next best matchup for Floyd after Pac. Cotto’s been there for the longest time, even before Pac rose to stardom,” said Robbie Pangilinan, the founder of SportsManila.net. “(Cotto) deserves this fight.”

About Southeast Asia Real Time

Indonesia Real Time provides analysis and insight into the region, which includes Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei. Contact the editors at SEAsia@wsj.com.

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